Folic Acid

• What is folic acid?

  Supplement
• What is the pharmacology of folic acid?

  Target: Folate receptor

  Action: Agonist
• MOA - Folic acid

  Converted to THF & methyltetrahydrofolate by DHFR -> transported across cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis -> required for...

  • erythropoiesis
  • synthesis purine & thymidylate nucleic acids
  • normalise high homocysteine levels (with vitamin B12)
• What are the indications of folic acid?

  Folate-deficient megaloblastic anaemia

  Prevention of neural tube defects

  Prevention of methotrexate-induced side effects in RA
• What are the side effects of folic acid?

  Exacerbate vitamin B12 deficiency

  Nausea

  Decreased appetite